Multi-Mode Acceleration-Based Athleticism Measurement System

• US 20080249736A1
• Filed: 09/28/2007
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Prstojevich, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,128,410 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/141
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1123 Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running A61B5/1116, A61B5/112 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 Motion sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0458 Step exercisers without moving parts with movable steps A63B22/04
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/00 : Measuring acceleration; Measuring deceleration; Measuring shock, i.e. sudden change of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports

Abstract

A multi-mode athleticism movement measurement system includes an athlete-borne acceleration sensor and an athleticism processing device to determine athleticism information based upon one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor, the athleticism information corresponding to any of multiple athleticism measurement modes available on athleticism processing device and selectable by a user. A data link between the athlete-borne acceleration sensor and the athleticism rating processing device transmits the one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor to the athleticism rating processing device.

Claims

1. A multi-mode athleticism movement measurement system, comprising:

an athlete-borne acceleration sensor;

an athleticism processing device to determine athleticism information based upon one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor, the athleticism information corresponding to any of plural athleticism measurement modes available on athleticism processing device and selectable by a user; and

a data link between the athlete-borne acceleration sensor and the athleticism rating processing device to transmit the one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor to the athleticism rating processing device.

2. The system of claim 1 in which the data link is a wireless data link.

3. The system of claim 1 in which the athleticism rating processing device includes a wireless athlete timing system.

4. The system of claim 1 in which the athleticism rating processing device is borne by the athlete.

5. The system of claim 1 in which the athleticism rating processing device provides real-time feedback of athletic performance to an athlete during a timing measurement from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor.

6. The system of claim 5 in which the real-time feedback includes an indication whether the athletic performance meets a predefined performance threshold.

7. The system of claim 5 in which the real-time feedback includes an indication whether the athletic performance meets a predefined cadence cue.

8. The system of claim 1 in which the athleticism information is incorporated into a athleticism rating of athletic performance.

9. A multi-mode athleticism movement measurement method, comprising:

selecting at an athleticism processing device an athleticism measurement mode from among plural athleticism measurement modes available on the athleticism processing device; and

obtaining acceleration data from an athlete-borne acceleration sensor according to the selected athleticism measurement mode and correlating the acceleration data with timing data;

applying the acceleration data with timing data to an indication of athletic performance corresponding to the selected athleticism measurement mode.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising providing real-time feedback of athletic performance to an athlete while obtaining the acceleration data.

11. The method of claim 10 in which the real-time feedback includes an indication whether the athletic performance meets a predefined performance threshold.

12. The method of claim 10 in which the real-time feedback includes an indication whether the athletic performance meets a predefined cadence cue.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising incorporating the athleticism information into an athleticism rating of athletic performance.

14. A multi-mode athleticism movement measurement system, comprising:

an athlete-borne movement sensor;

an athleticism processing device to determine athleticism information based upon one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne movement sensor, the athleticism information corresponding to any of plural athleticism measurement modes available on athleticism processing device and selectable by a user; and

a data link between the athlete-borne movement sensor and the athleticism rating processing device to transmit the one or more timing measurements from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor to the athleticism rating processing device.

15. The system of claim 14 in which the data link is a wireless data link.

16. The system of claim 14 in which the athleticism rating processing device is borne by the athlete.

17. The system of claim 14 in which the athleticism rating processing device provides real-time feedback of athletic performance to an athlete during a timing measurement from the athlete-borne acceleration sensor.